Seated Harpokrates

Terracotta
Romano-Egyptian Period, 1st/2nd century AD
H. 13.2cm; W. 7.3cm; D. 8.8 cm

A molded terracotta statuette of a seated naked Harpocrates. His body is voluptuous and his face sharp. The back of his head depicts a rams’ head, a very rare and interesting feature.
Harpocrates, Ἁρποκράτης in Greek, was the mythological God of silence, secrets, confidentiality and hope during the Ptolemaic Period of antiquity in Alexandria, Egypt. Harpocrates was adapted by the ancient Greeks from Horus, the son of Isis and Osiris in Egyptian mythology and represented the rising sun. His Egyptian name in antiquity was Heru-pa-khered, meaning “Horus the Child”.

Condition: Both arms and feet are missing, otherwise intact. Surface rubbed in places and sintered. Traces of white engobe and scattered inactive fungoid stains.

Provenance: ex. collection of Ambassador G.P., Nr. 203, before 1965

Item reference: EG0123